Pairing up with strangers

[newtogolf]

We had a single member join our group this week.  He was a nice guy but had no concept of the Rules Of Golf or golf etiquette.  He constantly stepped on peoples lines, talked during others swings and made up his score on each hole.  On one hole, he put two balls in the water from the tee box on a par 3, took two shots to reach the green and two putted, told us he scored a 5.  

None of us really cared because he was obviously vanity capping and it was just a friendly round but it was funny at the end when all the scores were tallied that his score was lower than two of the other guys and he commented that he's surprised he beat them since they played golf for many more years than he had.    

[Golfingdad]

On 5/12/2016 at 7:55 AM, Grumpter said:

One day I shot a 1 under 69. I was knocking the snot out of the ball. The next round was with a guy I had been talking to about golf for 10+ years but we had never played together. Of course I had to brag about my 1 under and then proceed to shoot a crowd pleasing 90 playing with him. Variance is a humbling little *$%^$.

 

25 minutes ago, Big C said:

This comment rings very true. Towards the end of 2014, I was coming off a (then personal best) 73 and feeling really good about my game. My next round was a father/son outing with a buddy of mine at PGA West Stadium course in La Quinta. Of course, on the drive out there, I was all too happy to share the details of my 73 to anyone who would listen. But as anyone whose played that course knows, it's a very tough track that will humble you in a hurry. 

I ended up shooting an even 100 that day. The low point came on hole 10, when - after posting a smooth 51 on the front 9 - I decide to play it "smart" and hit an iron off tee. I promptly hooked it into the water left. My buddy's dad, who had been quiet to that point, finally turned to me and asked incredulously "YOU shot a 73??????" Brutal.

That is like my 2013 summer - won a tournament with a 76 one weekend.  An "easy" 76 as well, that included a sloppy bogey and double on two of the last four holes.  My confidence was sky high, and went even higher two weeks later after my warm up session for my next tournament where I couldn't seem to miss a shot ... then proceeded to go out and shoot 101 that day.

[BuckeyeNut]

For any golfer to develop and play enough to improve their game, they need to be willing to "pair up"..   this is a social game and joining "others" is how it is............

Any dedicated golfer plays "MANY" times each week.  We normally have a regular weekend game, but we "pair up" several times a week when we "free-lance" rounds.    Pairing up is a natural part of the game.  

 

[CCC]

I love playing alone. As the sun is setting...

 

[boogielicious]

15 hours ago, newtogolf said:

We had a single member join our group this week.  He was a nice guy but had no concept of the Rules Of Golf or golf etiquette.  He constantly stepped on peoples lines, talked during others swings and made up his score on each hole.  On one hole, he put two balls in the water from the tee box on a par 3, took two shots to reach the green and two putted, told us he scored a 5.  

None of us really cared because he was obviously vanity capping and it was just a friendly round but it was funny at the end when all the scores were tallied that his score was lower than two of the other guys and he commented that he's surprised he beat them since they played golf for many more years than he had.    

That is disappointing. I've never been paired up with a stranger like that but did have a guy in my old league like the guy you described. I hated having him in my group. He never shut up.

[9wood]

I often play solo, but have noticed that I play some of my best golf when I get paired up with a stranger. It seems I love an audience.

[Yukari]

2 hours ago, 9wood said:

I often play solo, but have noticed that I play some of my best golf when I get paired up with a stranger. It seems I love an audience.

Ditto for me. Interestingly, my scores are higher when I play with my buddies or my family/relatives. 

[paininthenuts]

Pairing up with strangers is brilliant. My wife and I go to many of these parties, and NEVER forget the car keys. Last time we went to on, I swapped her for a lawn mower, but now the bloke wants it back. 

[Mr22putt]

22 hours ago, newtogolf said:

We had a single member join our group this week.  He was a nice guy but had no concept of the Rules Of Golf or golf etiquette.  He constantly stepped on peoples lines, talked during others swings and made up his score on each hole.  On one hole, he put two balls in the water from the tee box on a par 3, took two shots to reach the green and two putted, told us he scored a 5.  

None of us really cared because he was obviously vanity capping and it was just a friendly round but it was funny at the end when all the scores were tallied that his score was lower than two of the other guys and he commented that he's surprised he beat them since they played golf for many more years than he had.    

Ah...you got to play with the Golf Clown....did he dress like Rickie Fowler?

 

Edited May 14, 2016 by Mr22putt

[Rainmaker]

I got paired recently with a twosome and another single.  They were all good guys but the twosome were prepping for a tournament and, especially one of them, was super slow.  He actually put his own name on his golf bag but I won't go there, lol.  The single was a really nice guy but one of those "unsolicited tip givers" . .if anybody in our group hit a bad drive, he had the answer.  That was especially hard for me since I don't want to hear about if I lifted my head or stalled my hips or whatever.  Those thoughts are poison to me!  Anyway - had a great time.  Definitely looking to do it again soon.  You have to love the randomness of it. 

[Dan42nepa]

I had a young guy join me last week on the first hole. He said he played the tips and I internally rolled my eyes but he could walk the walk. He had just gotten out of the Marine corps, played hs and college golf and was in us open sectionals twice. His drives are close to 300 and straight and the rest of his game is good also. He shot a 75 on aerated greens hardly trying. Anyway, we are playing today and this week. I have no idea why he wants to play with a senior who hits the ball barely 200. He gave me a tip and now i hit a nice draw and hit a 160 yard 8 iron the other day.

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, Dan42nepa said:

 I have no idea why he wants to play with a senior who hits the ball barely 200. 

Maybe he just enjoyed your company.  Reading through the posts, in this thread and others, you can see how much we all value a good attitude in a playing partner, obviously you've got one of those good attitudes.

[Jeremie Boop]

I never mind getting having random people join me. I've never had a bad experience, worst thing that happened was the person didn't really talk and just played along with me. I've had people who are the stated "unicorn" who quietly shoot pars and birdies * @mcanadiens was with me the last time that happened, that old guy was pretty cool* and I've had people who thought I was some awesome golfer because I hit the ball pretty far. I agree that having someone with me almost always helps me stay more calm than when I play alone, though I typically shoot the same score regardless. I almost always offer to let people join me when I'm playing solo, but sadly they only accept about half the time.

[newtogolf]

3 hours ago, Dan42nepa said:

I had a young guy join me last week on the first hole. He said he played the tips and I internally rolled my eyes but he could walk the walk. He had just gotten out of the Marine corps, played hs and college golf and was in us open sectionals twice. His drives are close to 300 and straight and the rest of his game is good also. He shot a 75 on aerated greens hardly trying. Anyway, we are playing today and this week. I have no idea why he wants to play with a senior who hits the ball barely 200. He gave me a tip and now i hit a nice draw and hit a 160 yard 8 iron the other day.

I play a lot of rounds with some older guys and always enjoy the time with them, you seem like a good guy so maybe it's just that simple.  

[Mulligans]

I would prefer to play with strangers believe it or not.  I have a 40 hour per week job that I work 2nd shift  3pm-12am. I usually get out about 730am and lots of time get paired up with an old guy (I'm 30 so not super young).  I like to pick there brain on all sorts of topics. I also run a side business so I like to use golf for my "business meetings" usually I'm playing with total strangers that I would like to get good deals from.  I usually pay for there golf and in return get solid deals on carpet installation, drywall ect. 

[mcanadiens]

Had an odd one yesterday.

Buddy and I were playing early Sunday on the par-3 because my dumb butt thought it would be fast. Every want-to-be hacker came out. Waiting in the queue for the first tee, my buddy suggested a single in a motor cart join us. Turns out he was a newb. Green as grass and chopping the ball 10 yards per swat out of the rough. We had to tell the guy it was his turn to hit on every single shot. Super nice guy. I hope he can sort out a swing some time soon.

The funny thing was that the pace was so bad anyway we more than kept up with the group in front and completely lost the group behind us. Needless to say, our game suffered with all the waiting. When the hacking finally stopped, it was a four-hour round on a bleeding executive course.

[rehmwa]

Both rounds this weekend I was fortunate to play mostly alone (my preference).  But I noticed things were starting to tighten up into the back nine so before it became a wait for either me or the group behind, I worked it to match up with another group.

really great meetups this weekend

Friday - I held up a little on the tee at 13 to join a retired couple that was just playing super efficient behind me (normally I just leave them behind).  What a bonus!  Those two were just automatic, hitting great shots and just churning out regulation pars.  We matched up great and it was a real pleasure to meet them.  I needed to pick at something on 16, and just sent them ahead (we'd actually pulled ahead of everyone behind us) and finished up.

Saturday - I was put on schedule with a 3some that just didn't show up and was able to go out solo (happy time). The 3some ahead had about a 20 minute head start.  I caught them pretty quick (hole 6), even just playing a relaxed round, but since no one was behind me for several holes, I just took my time and played alone - it was stacked in front of them - no point to play through and I was playing well and didn't want to change the vibe. But by 13/14, finally the 3-some behind me had almost caught up.   This time, I moved ahead and joined the group ahead (30 something guy and his parents) on 14 - we'd chatted at a couple previous holes where I'd caught them on the tee and they were friendly (and appreciated that I let them know I was taking slow pace would stay well back - in return, on blind holes they'd leave someone back in view until I could hit - really nice).  Again, super friendly, the young guy played close to my level and we had great talks and golf for the finishing 5 holes. 

Both groups I was playing a different tee and it just didn't matter

normally it works out

[newtogolf]

1 hour ago, mcanadiens said:

Had an odd one yesterday.

Buddy and I were playing early Sunday on the par-3 because my dumb butt thought it would be fast. Every want-to-be hacker came out. Waiting in the queue for the first tee, my buddy suggested a single in a motor cart join us. Turns out he was a newb. Green as grass and chopping the ball 10 yards per swat out of the rough. We had to tell the guy it was his turn to hit on every single shot. Super nice guy. I hope he can sort out a swing some time soon.

The funny thing was that the pace was so bad anyway we more than kept up with the group in front and completely lost the group behind us. Needless to say, our game suffered with all the waiting. When the hacking finally stopped, it was a four-hour round on a bleeding executive course.

That's been affecting me as well lately.  My instructor told me that I should try practice swinging while I'm waiting so that I don't get stiff or allow get out of synch.